Episode 155: Jigar Shah

Jigar Shah (@JigarShahDC on Twitter) is the director of the Loan Programs Office at the Department of Energy. Mr. Shah was formerly the co-founder and President at Generate Capital, where he focused on helping entrepreneurs accelerate decarbonization solutions through the use of low-cost infrastructure-as-a service financing. Jigar also has the best laugh of any prior guest on the podcast and celebrated his two year anniversary at the DOE on March 3rd – the day we recorded. Topics: The mandate of the Loan Programs Office The calculus of leaving the private sector for the DOE The “alphabet soup” of government programs focused on the Energy Transition The laziness of big companies LPO loans – by invitation only Inspiring action where action wouldn’t otherwise happen Why Jigar can’t comment on a loan application to LAC for Thacker Pass Downstream battery investment vs upstream The contribution of recyclers Jigar Shah – the “long term lithium bull” “Friend-shoring” challenges Tesla What defines a “friend” of the US Supply chain risk management Rapid fire Closing comments on the BMO conference and lithium price